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3 Answers

Cross-country flight training

Asked by: 1877 views Flight Instructor, Private Pilot

I'm a relatively new CFI. In a recent cross-country flight training session with a student we had to turn back due to unforecasted weather coming in at the destination airport (a great training experience). We were not able to land at an airport far enough away in order for it to count as a cross-country flight but I was able to provide much cross-country flight 'training'. The question is - Does it have to be a cross-crountry flight in order for it to count toward cross-country training? There's no clarity I can find in the regs on this.

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3 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Feb 28, 2021

    So, you are thinking you and your student don’t actually have to do a dual cross country flight? And that you would feel comfortable endorsing them for a solo cross country without one? Interesting.

    Looking at the 61.109, I can’t say you are definitely wrong (that part of the reg doesn’t say “flight”) but I would be concerned about the effect of a logbook entry with comments saying “cross country training” without 3 hours of cross country flight time being logged – and that remote landing is definitely required for that.

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  2. Max Trescott, Aviation News Talk podcast host on Feb 28, 2021

    61.1 makes it clear you need the landing.

    (ii) For the purpose of meeting the aeronautical experience requirements (except for a rotorcraft category rating), for a private pilot certificate (except for a powered parachute category rating), a commercial pilot certificate, or an instrument rating, or for the purpose of exercising recreational pilot privileges (except in a rotorcraft) under §61.101 (c), time acquired during a flight—

    (A) Conducted in an appropriate aircraft;

    (B) That includes a point of landing that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and

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  3. awair on Feb 28, 2021

    I think Max has the short answer, but it would all depend on the missing comma?

    Cross country flight, training; or cross country, flight training – is there really a difference? When we start considering this, we’re probably losing sight of the bigger picture, and maybe risk management is the missing competency.

    Including a landing is assured of meeting the regs. No landing, raises some flags. Is it worth the risk at check-ride time?

    Without the landing, you’re only providing Navigation training. I believe 61.1 was intended to include the dual elements of finding somewhere far enough away, and also getting in and out. The land away being an essential part of the aeronautical experience requirement.

    On the topic of Risk Management, who made the decision to go? Only 50 miles required and yet ‘unforecast’ weather?

    If the student made the decision to go, then great, it is a good learning experience. As a CFI one would hope that your SA foresaw this, and maybe had a good alternate to salvage the sortie?

    I don’t know the geography and exact distances in your case, so this is not a criticism. Maybe this suggestion doesn’t apply?

    The points to consider, as a CFI seeking feedback:

    1. We’re teaching the student to make conservative RM decisions.
    2. We’re teaching to think ‘what if?’
    3. As a CFI, we have better judgment and situation awareness
    4. So if the student insists on flying, we better have a certainty, as a teaching contingency.

    And I would never have thought of any/all this as a new instructor!

    Well done for asking, and enjoy.

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